A Writer's Almanac for the all the writers on my flist- here and on LJ.

It's the birthday of R.L. Stine, (books by this author) born Robert Lawrence Stine in Columbus, Ohio (1943). He loved horror stories as a kid, and when he discovered that the local barbershop carried copies of two horror comic strips, he started getting a haircut every Saturday. He wrote lots of jokes and stories, kept writing through college, then moved to New York City to work as a writer. The first job he found was with a fan magazine, and he said that it was good training because it taught him to write fast and make stuff up.

He edited a humor magazine for a few years, but when it folded, he decided to try horror, and his series for teenagers, Fear Street, became a huge success. So he wrote a series for younger kids, Goosebumps, and his sales went through the roof. When someone asked him how he first knew that Goosebumps was going to be a big success, he said: "I was in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, driving to a bookstore for a book signing. I remember I was stuck in a huge traffic jam and I was really worried I would be late and was growing more and more annoyed at all the traffic. When we finally approached the bookstore, I realized that the traffic jam was caused by all the people who were coming to see me."

For several years in a row in the 1990s, he was voted not just the best-selling children's author in the country, but the best-selling author. He has written more than 100 books and sold more than 400 million copies. He said: "I'm really a writing machine. I have no rituals. I don't need a special desk or special background music. As long as I have a keyboard in front of me, I can write."

You're reading this and you're thinking to yourself- "BUT LILL, THIS GUY IS A HACK. HE'S A TOOL. HE'S SOLD OUT TO THE TEH MAN AND WRITES UTTER BOILER PLATE CRAP! WHY ARE YOU WAVING THIS IN MY FACE? THIS IS NOT ART, BUT FAIL!!!"

Not so, my friends. This guy? Here? Started out writing in fan mags. And his only "thing" is that he writes. He writes relentlessly and often and he knows his audience and as a result he sells books. I read a few back in the '90s (when I'd finished reading "The Vampire Diaries" I turned to one of the many R.L.Stine books on my sister's shelves, because I was home for a weekend and bored) and THEY ARE RIDICULOUS. ANY ONE OF US COULD TO BETTER!

Our challenge is clear! :D

"I... just don't know how to respond to that."

1.) Hi, my name is Liz and I shouldn't be allowed to talk to famous people. EVER. Really, it would just be better for everyone.

It wasn't that bad, just a series of very weird little moments. Talking to David Sedaris is very much like talking to an old maiden aunt in pearls who has a quick mind and, while generous to a fault, has already decided that you're a bit of a nit because you're her nephew Arnold's boy and he's nothing but a Republican and an accountant, for the love of gawd. It. was. surreal. He asked me over and over and over if I'd met Obama and finally I said "yes" just to change the subject. (YES. I LIED TO THE FAMOUS AUTHOR MAN. I AM SCUM.) But it allowed him to deliver his punchline, so he was happy. I was bewildered. Still am, actually.

Speaking of surreal, just for giggles and to amuse me (you know you want to), when you respond to this post, finish this sentence:

"When you are engulfed in flames..." (<--- which, by the way, is the title of Sedaris' latest book)

Or start with something as in "The world is a bright and cheery place when you are engulfed in flames."

2.) Irving Penn died yesterday. He was 92, but apparently missed the memo that he was supposed to stick around another decade or so.

3.) I had no idea Spike Jonze was from Rockville. Good thing he didn't go back there and waste another year, eh R.E.M.? Retrospective at MoMA. Looking forward to "Where the Wild Things Are" now because the constant promotion of it has pummeled me into submission.

4.) Hanging out at home tonight, getting ready for the weekend. All I have to do is pack, get my bike stuff together, have a bit of dinner (Spanish eggplant roasted with salad topped with purple peppers), clean the kitchen and get some sleep, but something tells me I'll find a way to bollocks that up even so. Xp

5.) Read this story, read the bit from his blog and tell me what you think. Was his freedom of speech curtailed? Is he an idiot for getting bent over $3?